Microstrip line discontinuities simulation at microwave frequencies

Advances in Physics Theories and Applications www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-719X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0638 (Online)
Vol.19, 2013 - Selected from International Conference on Recent Trends in Applied Sciences with Engineering Applications
38
Microstrip Line Discontinuities Simulation at Microwave Frequencies
Dr. A.K. Rastogi1*
(FIETE), (MISTE), Munira Bano1
, Manisha Nigam2
1. Department of Physics & Electronics, Institute for Excellence in Higher Education, Bhopal, (M.P.),
India-462016
2. Govt. MVM, Bhopal, (M.P.), India-462008
*Email:akrastogi_bpl@yahoo.com
Abstract
Microwave and Millimeter wave integrated circuits (MICs) have experienced a tremendous growth over the last
50 years. Microstrip line is one of the popular lines in these MICs. Due to the layout necessities, an
electromagnetic wave that propagates down a microstrip line may encounter discontinuities such as T-junctions,
Bends and vias. A simulation model is presented here for analysing these discontinuities in microstrips through
Sonnet Software. The parameters of microstrip lines are determined from the empirical formulae which are
based on full wave analysis. The simulation work has been performed on Alumina substrate. The discontinuities
are simulated and compensated which gives important results for designing high frequency microwave circuits.
Key Words: Microwave and millimeter wave integrated circuits (MICs), microstrip line, microstrip line
discontinuities, T-junctions, bends, steps in width, full wave analysis, substrate permittivity and sonnet software.
1. Introduction
Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits based on Planar Transmission Lines such as microstrip are being
considered as viable candidates for microwave communications and other applications. The planar configuration
implies that the characteristics of the element can be determined by the dimensions in a single plane. The
commonly used different types of printed transmission lines for MICs are microstrip line, strip line, suspended
stripline, slotline, coplanar waveguide and finline (Gupta et al. 1979). Microstrip line is one of the popular lines
in transmission structures, mainly due to the fact that the mode of propagation on microstrip is almost TEM. The
microstrip line consists of a single conductor trace on one side of a dielectric substrate and a single ground plane
on its opposite side as shown in Figure 1. Since it is an open structure it features the ease of interconnections and
adjustments.
Methods of microstrip analysis may be classified into three groups- Quasi Static Methods, Dispersion Methods
and Full Wave Analysis. In Quasi Static Methods, the nature of the mode of propagation is considered to be pure
TEM, and microstrip characterizations are calculated from the electrostatic capacitance of the structure. It is
found from analysis, that this method is adequate for designing circuits at lower frequencies (below X-band)
where the strip width and substrate thickness are much smaller than the wavelength in the dielectric material. In
the second group, called dispersion models, the deviation from the TEM nature is accounted for quasi
empirically. The methods in the third group, take into account the hybrid nature of mode of propagation i.e.
quasi TEM mode of propagation (Bhat & Koul 1980; Fooks & Zakarevicius 1990).
2. Microstrip Synthesis
In actual design of microstrip, one wishes to determine the width ‘w’ required to obtain specified characteristic
impedance ‘Z0’ on a substrate of known permittivity ‘εr’ and thickness ‘h’. This operation is called synthesis.
Various researchers have reported formulas for microstrip calculations (Wheeler 1964; 1965). Owens (1976),
carefully investigated the ranges of applicability of many of the expressions given by Wheeler, comparing
calculated results with numerical computations. The closed formulas are highly desirable as they are accurate
and fast. CAD algorithms can be implemented with these formulas of Edward & Steer.
2.1 Synthesis Formula
For given Z0 and frequency:
In case of narrow strips i.e. when
Z0 > (44 - εr) Ω
1
'
'
exp4
1
8
exp
−






−=
H
H
h
w
...… (1)
Where






+





+
−
+
+
=
πε
π
ε
εε 4
ln
1
2
ln
1
1
2
1
9.119
)1(20'
rr
rrZ
H …… (2)

39
and
2
'
4
ln
1
2
ln
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
−














+





+
−
−
+
=
πε
π
ε
εε
ε
rr
rr
eff
H
…… (3)
where
'
H is given by equation (2) or alternatively as a function of
h
w
from equation (1)








+





+= 2164ln
2
'
w
h
w
h
H …… (4)
For microstrip line on Alumina ),10( =rε this expression appears to be accurate to 2.0± % over the
impedance range Ω≤≤ 508 0Z
when
h
w
and rε are given:








+





+
+
= 2164ln
)1(2
9.119
2
0
w
h
w
h
Z
rε
…. (5)
3. Microstrip Discontinuities
All practical distributed circuits, whether in waveguides, coaxial lines or any other propagation structure, must
inherently contain discontinuities. A straight uninterrupted length of transmission structure would be of little
engineering use, and in any case junctions are essential. Although such discontinuities give rise to only very
small capacitances and inductances (often <0.1pF and <0.1nH) the reactance of these become particularly
significant at the high microwave and millimetre wave frequencies. The performance of amplifiers for example
has been shown to be considerably affected by microstrip discontinuity. Many other circuits such as filters,
mixers and oscillators involve several discontinuities. All technologies whether based on hybrid MIC or MMIC
inherently involves transmission discontinuities (Wheeler 1977). Discontinuity modelling is based upon
equivalent capacitances and inductances. Discontinuity capacitance evaluation has been performed by Silvester
& Benedek (1973) and discontinuity inductance evaluation has been performed by Gupta & Gopinath (1977).
The following are several forms of discontinuities emerging from circuit requirements:
a) Open circuits
b) Series coupling gaps
c) Short circuits through to the ground plane
d) Step width changes
e) T & Cross junctions
3.1 Microstrip Bends
A microstrip bend may be formed by two lines of equal or unequal impedances and is normally used for
introducing flexibility in the layout of the circuit design. The equivalent circuit of the microstrip bend with lines
of equal impedance is shown in the Figure 2.
In practical circuits, microstrip bends are chamfered to compensate the excess capacitance.
3.2 T-junctions
The T-junctions is perhaps the most important discontinuity in a microstrip as it is found in most circuits such as
impedance networks, stub filters and branch line couplers. A microstrip T-junction and its equivalent circuit are
shown in the Figure 3. The discontinuity capacitance for this structure has been calculated by Silvester &
Benedek (1973).
The T-junction discontinuity compensation is much more difficult than right angled bends and steps in width
discontinuity compensation techniques. The T-junctions can be compensated by adjusting the lengths of the three
microstrip lines forming the junction.
3.3 Steps in Width
There exists step discontinuity at junctions of two microstrip lines that have different impedances. This type of
discontinuity is encountered when designing matching transformers, couplers and filters. The configurations of
step discontinuity and its equivalent circuit are shown in the Figure 4. Results for excess capacitance have been
given by Farrar & Adams (1971), Benedek & Silvester (1972) and Gupta & Gopinath (1977).

40
The compensation in this case is done to reduce the effect of discontinuity reactances by chamfering the large
width.
4. Results & Discussion
Figure 5. (a) & (b) shows the two and three dimensional model for microstrip bend respectively while the Figure
6. (a) & (b) shows simulation model of T-junctions and Steps in width through Sonnet Software simulation
respectively, which is performed on Alumina substrate of substrate permittivity εr=9.8 and loss tangent
tanδ=0.0002 and substrate thickness h=0.5 mm. The synthesis equation gives the proper width ‘w’ and effective
dielectric constant ‘εeff’ required for simulating the microstrip discontinuities.
SONNET Software is commercial Software which provides solutions for high frequency electromagnetic
analysis. This Em simulation software is used for design and analysis for high frequency microstrip circuits. The
analysis engine of Sonnet Suite®
, Em is appropriate for a wide range of 3D planar structures. The via capabilities
allow the analysis of air bridges, wire bonds, spiral inductors, wafer probes, and internal ports as well as for
simple grounding.
All the three discontinuities are chamfered in different ways in order to compensate the excess reactance. The
discontinuities and their compensated models are analysed which are shown in the Figure 7. (a), (b) and (c). The
S-parameters gives us a way of representing a networks transmission and reflection coefficients as they are the
only parameters that can be measured at high frequencies.
The results are shown in the Figure 8, 9 and 10 through graphs of the reflection and transmission coefficients.
Figure 8. (a) shows clearly that when the right angled bend is chamfered by changing the angle from 90° to 45°,
the transmission is increased through the line and the reflection is decreased which is shown in the Figure 8 (b).
Figure 9. (a) & (b) shows that when the microstrip T-junction discontinuity is compensated by increasing the
width of the junction, the transmission and reflection both becomes better.
Figure 10. (a) & (b) shows that compensating the Step in Width by chamfering it, the reflection and transmission
are enhanced at the higher frequencies esp. above 10 GHz.
5. Conclusion
Microstrip lines are considered as viable candidates for MMICs. Microstrip due to its various design advantages
is particularly very attractive. A straight uninterrupted length of waveguide or transmission line would be of little
engineering use. Simulation model is presented in this paper for analysing the general discontinuities in
microstrips at higher frequencies. The discontinuities are finely modelled through simulation which shows that
the compensated models are better than the uncompensated ones as they increase the transmission and decrease
the reflection. The results given here have been applied to most commonly used substrate. The results presented
here are useful in the design of MMICs and they form a basis for the improvement of existing CAD models.
References:
Benedek, P. & Silvester, P. (1972), “Equivalent Capacitance for Microstrip Gaps and Steps”, IEEE Trans.
Microwave Theory Tech. MTT-20, 729-733.
Bhat, B. & Koul, S.K. (1980), “Stripline-like Transmission Lines for Microwave Integrated Circuits”, Wiley
Eastern Limited, New-Delhi.
Edwards, T.C. & Steer, M.B. “Foundations of Inter-connect and Microstrip Design”, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Farrar, A. & Adams, A.T. (1971), “Computation of Lumped Microstrip Capacitances by Matrix Methods:
Rectangular Sections and End Effect”, IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. MTT-19, 495-497.
Fooks, E.H. & Zakarevicius, R.A. (1990), “Microwave Engineering using Microstrip Circuits”, Prentice Hall of
Australia.
Gupta, K.C., Garg, R. & Bahl, I.J. (1979), “Microstrip Lines and Slot Lines”, Artech House Inc., Washington.
Gupta, K.C., & Gopinath, A. (1977), “Equivalent Circuit Capacitance of Microstrip Step Change in Width”,
IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. MTT-25, 819-822.
Owens, R.P. (1976), “Accurate Analytical Determination of Quasi-static Microstrip Line Parameters,” The Radio
and Electronic Engineer 46, 360-364.
Silvester, P. & Benedek, P. (1973), “Microstrip Discontinuity Capacitances for Right-angle Bends, T-junctions
and Crossing”, IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech. MTT-21, 341-346.
Wheeler, H.A. (1964), “Transmission-line Properties of Parallel Wide Strips by a Conformal Mapping
Approximation”, IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory and Tech. 12, 280-289.
Wheeler, H.A. (1965), “Transmission-line Properties of Parallel Strips separated by a Dielectric Sheet,” IEEE
Trans. Microwave Theory and Tech.13, 172-185.
Wheeler, H.A. (1977), “Transmission Line Properties of a Strip on a Dielectric Sheet on a plane”, IEEE Trans.
MTT-25, 631-647.

41
Figure 1. Cross Sectional View of Microstrip line
Figure 2. Microstrip Bend Geometry and its Equivalent Circuit
Figure 3. Microstrip T-junction and its Equivalent Circuit
Figure 4. Microstrip Step Discontinuity and its Equivalent Circuit

42
Figure 5(a). Microstrip Bend through Sonnet
Figure 5(b). 3D Microstrip Bend

43
Figure 6(a). Microstrip T-junction through Sonnet
Figure 6 (b). Microstrip Step in Width through Sonnet

44
Figure 7(a). Compensated model of Microstrip Bend Discontinuity
Figure 7(b). Compensated model of Microstrip T-junction Discontinuity

45
Figure 7(c). Compensated model of Microstrip Step in Width
Figure 8(a). Transmission Coefficient Vs Frequency for Microstrip Right angled
Bend and Compensated Bend.

46
Figure 8(b). Reflection Coefficient Vs Frequency for Microstrip Right angled
Bend and Compensated Bend .
Figure 9(a). Transmission Coefficient Vs Frequency for Microstrip T-junction
and Compensated T-junction.

47
Figure 9(b). Reflection Coefficient Vs Frequency for Microstrip T-junction
and Compensated T-junction.
Figure 10(a). Transmission Coefficient Vs Frequency for Microstrip Step
Discontinuity and Compensated Step in Width.

48
Figure 10(b). Reflection Coefficient Vs Frequency for Microstrip Step
Discontinuity and Compensated Step in Width.

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Microstrip line discontinuities simulation at microwave frequencies

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